Researchers said women in the UK feel stigmatised by breastfeeding, despite being aware of the "breast is best" health message. Credit: PA Wire

Susan Jebb, professor of diet and population health at the University of Oxford, said that despite years of campaigning on the long-term benefits of breastfeeding, rates are still low and socially patterned.

"Financial incentives have proved modestly effective in changing some other health-related behaviours, but it is not clear whether this might enhance breastfeeding rates, especially the maintenance of breastfeeding," she said.

"We need a public conversation about whether this should be adopted into policy. It's important not to condone or condemn this until we have clear evidence of whether or not it may be effective."